Renegade 2008 Week-4 NW Indiana High School Football Poll

MERRILLVILLE (9-12-2008) The thought expressed here last week was that the third week of the season, the first week of league play, would clarify the rankings. It did nothing even close to that. Lots of players aren't playing and why and why not is anybody's guess. Obviously, Merrillville is not the No. 1 team without Division 1 prospect Dolapo Macarthy (6-6, 208), who has sat out the last two games for reasons that have not been announced.

But that's not it. LaPorte has a junior defensive back Brad Cobain hospitalized in a car accident and his brother, starting lineman Brett Cobain, has been away from the team and with his brother. That and two other injuries had an effect in LaPorte's 48-0 loss to Valparaiso last week. It's tough for young people to play relatively meaningless sports when situations like this occur.

The big player loss numerically was at Michigan City where 18 players were reportedly suspended for off-the-field behavior. The word is some will also miss this coming week (Sept. 12), so Michigan City's chances of winning the DAC go down the toilet and the team can only hope to recover by October.

So pollsters face an interesting dilemma. Do you rate someone on what they are if they get some missing players back in the lineup or do you rank them without those athletes?

Or, as they do in Las Vegas, do you just take those teams off the board entirely?

What I'm saying is that unlike recent years when Merrillville was a solid No. 1 team and Crown Point before them... Right now, I don't have any idea who's number one in this area. Crown Point is 1-2 and struggling Merrillville is 1-2 and shorthanded and Griffith is 1-2. That leaves Lowell (3-0) and the Devils have beaten CP (1-2), Morton (1-2) and KV (0-3).

Valparaiso? They beat Penn, LaPorte and Roosevelt, but guess what? Penn is 1-2, LaPorte is 1-2 and shorthanded and Roosevelt is 0-3.

You can't be like polls are in college football where teams that play weak schedules rise in the polls and teams that play tough schedules sink. An undefeated team isn't automatically number one here. You have to think about it. Strength of schedule matters.

For the moment, I like Portage. Even with the win over Highland (0-3), the Indians have handed two others their only loss. This poll is relatively stable. Teams don't make radical moves. But it's a very odd year. There have been a lot of strange occurrences so far and there are probably more to come.

1.) 5A Portage (3-0)
2007 (5-5), 2006 (6-5), 2005 (2-8), 2004 (8-4), 2003 (11-2)

PORTAGE: A third consecutive dominating victory and so much indecision elsewhere jumps Portage to the top spot. A solid 26-7 win over Lake Central (2-1) has to be added to the 40-7 win over Andrean (2-1). Portage is a weak No. 1. The QB, Eric Melcic (13 of 24, 305 yards), has very little experience and some of their best players are sophomores. But they are quick and strong defensively and the first three games have gone very well. Senior halfback Ryan Cherry (6 TDs) has scored in every game and tight end Clark Mussman (6-3, 245) is a D-1 player who causes trouble on both sides of the ball. I know the question you're asking and the answer is 'No'. Lowell would not beat Portage. Lowell beats Crown Pont at the start of every other year, but by the end of a seven game schedule against 2,000-kid schools, the Devils would not beat Crown Point. You're just going to have to take my word on that. The question of the week is: Will Merrillville's Dolapo Macarthy play at Portage this Friday?

2.) 4A Lowell (3-0)
2007 (13-2), 2006 (7-6), 2005 (11-4), 2004 (9-4), 2003 (11-2)

LOWELL: The Devils shut down Kankakee Valley 42-0 in a solid home performance as halfback Brandon Grubbe (7 TDs in 3 games) ran for three TDs. Bryan DeSomer scored his third TD in two games. QB Kurt Monix is 17 of 25 for 322 yards with no interceptions. What is very encouraging here is the shutout, Lowell's second of the season. What's intriguing about Lowell's future, beyond this week's fun-fest at Griffith (1-2), is that Sectional 10 rivals Concord (3-0) and Plymouth (3-0) are both undefeated and Concord is averaging 47 points a game. That's why it's probably more important how Lowell plays defensively than offensively. There will be a judgement day for Lowell with Concord and/or Plymouth.

This week's game at Griffith has to be put into the context of "it's a good preparation to play at Plymouth," a similar offensive squad with similar home field atmosphere and tradition. The Devils always enjoy playing Griffith, but Lowell knows that September games don't mean much. Oddly, Lowell needs a close game this week. Beating out-manned teams 42-0 serves no purpose. Griffith (9-12-2008), Hobart (9-26-2008) and Andrean (10-17-2008) are coming and they should be welcomed. The problem with a long sustained period of success is overconfidence. Lowell has won 16 of their last 18 games (34 of their last 46), but there is a feeling the 2008 team has done more than they actually have so far. I want to rank Lowell No. 1, but I can't do it until they win at Griffith. It's that simple.

VALPARAISO: It's a radical move, but Valpo beat Penn (1-2) and they rolled over a depleted LaPorte squad. They are a typical big, physical VHS squad and new QB Zack Livovich (6-6, 210) is moving in well. Senior Tony Hite has three field goals, one from 41 yards. I may have called Merrillville's Ryan Stokes and CP's Michael Lipton the top two kickers and Tony Hite belongs with that trio. Junior Nick Thompson (5-11, 165) has five TDs, junior Michael Perkins (5-11, 170) has three rushing TDs and seniors Eric Jackson (6-1, 170) has two rushing TDs, but I don't think it's them. The offensive line, with big boys like Conner Sapp (6-8, 290) and Zach Grenier (6-4, 276) is making the offense roll for the biggest team in NW Indiana. But the big difference is the mean, green defense. Valpo gave up 292 points (26.5) last year in 11 games. In 2006, they gave up 309 points (30.9) in 10 games. So far, they've allowed nine points in three games. There could be a new green sheriff in town.

4.) 5A Merrillville (1-2)
2007 (12-2), 2006 (7-5), 2005 (11-3), 2003 (5-6), 2004 (6-5)

MERRILLVILLE: With senior QB Dolapo Macarthy unavailable, Merrillville has to drop from the No. 1 slot. Right up to the game against CP Friday, there was talk the tall QB would play, but he did not. I do not know whether Dolapo is injured (which I tend to believe) or doing some type of disciplinary suspension (which has also been rumored). I wish coach Zac Wells would say what's going on because not saying creates rumors that are worse than what is probably occurring. Last week, Crown Point was able to rush soph back-up QB Zach Raspopovich into four interceptions in a 10-7 CP upset, dropping the Pirates below the .500 mark for the first time in six years. The Pirates' defense is healthy, but they are going to wear down if the offense can't move the ball. Merrillville's offensive line is having some significant problems. Without Macarthy, and my guess is he will sit out this week's game at undefeated Portage (3-0), the Pirates' shotgun offense is not that hard to defense. This team is No. 1 with Macarthy playing. However, not knowing his situation, even Pete Rose wouldn't bet on these Pirates.

5.) 5A Lake Central (2-1)
2007 (7-5), 2006 (4-6), 2005 (2-8), 2004 (1-9), 2003 (1-9)

ST. JOHN: LC took a hit with a 26-7 loss to Portage. LC scored first, but then gave up 26 unanswered points. They completed 6-of-21 passes and QB Ryan Hennessey (25 of 53, 312 yards) couldn't get stated against Portage's quick defense. I am surprised that LC did not defend the run better last week. LC allowed 309 yards rushing at Portage and they'll see better running teams than the Indians. This week's game at Crown Point (1-2) will go a long way in determining what Lake Central can accomplish during the regular season. The DAC is open for the taking by almost anybody, but not for Lake Central if they lose to Crown Point Friday. LC has lost to Crown Point five years in a row, but what's happened against a certain opponent in past years only really matters if you still have those same players. Most kids graduate eventually.

6.) 4A Griffith (1-2)
2007 (9-4), 2006 (12-2), 2005 (12-1), 2004 (9-3), 2003 (7-5)

GRIFFITH: I am among those who were surprised by Griffith's 19-0 loss at Hobart (3-0). The Panthers were held to 162 total yards and just 91 yards rushing. Let's step back and look at this thing here. Griffith has played Morton, Merrillville and Hobart, three strong teams and they have allowed just 56 (18.6 ppg.) points. But since gaining 400 rushing yards on Morton, the running game has been shut down. Hobart and Merrillville are strong defensively, but so is undefeated Lowell (3-0), this week's opponent. The Panthers are throwing the ball more (34 times in 3 games) than they have in past years and that means the offensive line is not yet what they'd hoped it would be. But the Panthers' final five games are very winnable for a team with this defense. Griffith has a two-game losing streak, but they haven't lost three in a row in five years. The Panthers will try to draw a line in the sand this week for the invasion from the south.

HOBART: I have some dues to pay here. I didn't think Hobart was a Top-10 team, but they erased any doubt with a 19-0 shutout of Griffith. The Brickie's defense has held Crown Point and Griffith without an offensive TD. The TDs Hobart gave up to Gary West Side were second half scores against backups. No one has scored on Hobart's No. 1 defense all season. Senior QB Matt Barras (23 of 40, 353 yards, 3 TDs) fired two TDs passes in the big win against the Panthers and he has not been intercepted this season. Hobart is 21-6 over the past three years. They're solid (one turnover all year) but there are some offensive questions. Still, they should have been in the poll last week after they beat Crown Point. There is a lot of extra emotion here because Hobart is closing their tradition-rich stadium and moving into a new school. To seniors, who will never play at the new school, this final year's home games mean a lot.

8.) 5A CROWN POINT (1-2)
2007 (8-3), 2006 (12-1), 2005 (11-1), 2004 (4-7), 2003 (5-5)

CROWN POINT: The Bulldogs stayed in the poll with a 10-7 win at shorthanded Merrillville, but they did not look good doing it. Unknown defensive back Scott Hannon grabbed two interceptions and linebackers Greg Schillo and Lance LaMere rattled Merrillville soph QB Zach Raspopovich. But the offense has scored just one TD all year and CP has only 325 yards of offense in three games. It's a minor miracle they're 1-2. I give the Bulldogs a lot of credit for having allowed just 27 points all season against Lowell (3-0), Merrillville (1-2) and Hobart (3-0) and if the O-line can improve even slightly, I think new QB Marcus Shrewsbury and halfbacks Nick Bruno and Mason Popovich may start to put yards and points on the score sheet. But I always say, the most important unit on any football team is the offensive line. That is the only group that can completely control the game and you cant win in a big school conference with a weak line. CP's offensive line has six weeks to get going.

MERRILLVILLE: The Niners were tied 16-16 at East Chicago at halftime and they rallied to win 35-16. Senior halfback Kyle Kovach (7 TDs) caught 2 TD passes from soph QB Demetri Blanco (22 of 48, 280 yards). The Niners have scored points in the last nine quarters and they gained 325 years in each of the last two games. This team is 'Entertainment Tonight' with drama, thrills and flashy stars, possibly a little too much so for the coaching staff. Six fumbles in three games is a major concern.
But this is a 3A team and nobody in 3A, with the possible exception of Andrean-clone St. Joseph's (3-0) and Northwood (2-1), in this part of the state is anywhere near them right now. If you get a chance to go to an Andrean game, you should do it because with 92 points scored (30.6 ppg.) and 63 points (21.0 ppg.) allowed the Niners are worth the price of admission.

10.) 5A Chesterton (2-1)
2007 (6-4), 2006 (5-6), 2005 (3-8), 2004 (5-5), 2003 (7-4)

CHESTERTON: I still don't know that much about Chesterton despite their 33-21 win over Michigan City last week. MC was shorthanded through suspension and I'm not sure the game should have been this close. New QB Aaron Knight (25 of 52, 321 yards, 4 TDs, one interception) has a TD pass in each of his first three varsity games.
I can't explain the 28-7 loss at West Ottawa (Michigan) and I don't know where West Ottawa is anyway. The Clay team they beat 34-6 is 1-2. The Trojans have given up 850 total yards and they've lost seven fumbles. They can't get too excited just yet.

5A Michigan City (1-2)
2007 (2-8), 2006 (1-9), 2005 (6-5), 2004 (4-6), 2003 (3-7)

MICHIGAN CITY: I'm not sure what's happening here. The Wolves had to suspend some players for an undisclosed situation, but they may be back this week or they may not. Last week, some players reportedly sat out one half in a 33-21 loss to Chesterton. They've got six weeks to get straight. QB Nate Scully (34 of 69, 612 yards, 5 TDs) is leading an attack that has scored 101 points, but the defense also gives up more than 20 points a game. The potential is here, but I don't know when everybody will be back on the roster, so I just can't rank them right now. Maybe after this week's game with undefeated Valparaiso (3-0).

The RENEGADE 2008 Poll

Week-4: NW Indiana High School Top-10 Football Poll